Sign Variance Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 3 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
SB1.1amended
Appeal Respecting One First Party Electronic Ground Sign - 1275 Kennedy Road
This report addresses an appeal concerning five variances sought respecting a proposal for one first party electronic ground sign displaying electronic static copy (the "Proposed Sign"), which is currently operating without having first obtained the required Sign Permit. The Proposed Sign is located along the western property line at the property municipally known as 1275 Kennedy Road (the "Premises"), and is intended to direct attention to goods offered at "Life Style Flooring", located on the Premises. The variance was originally applied for by Chris Lissitsas of City Lite Signs (the "Applicant"). After conducting a review in accordance with the requirements of the Sign By-law, a decision was made to refuse the requested variances. At that time, it was determined that the Proposed Sign did not meet all nine established criteria as contained in the Sign By-law. Specifically, the Proposed Sign was found to not be compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area, that it would alter the character of the premises or surrounding area, and that it would be contrary to the public interest. The Premises is designated as an Employment (E) Sign District. The size of the Proposed Sign compared with what the Sign By-law permits in an E Sign District, is out of scale with the Premise and with similar ground signs in the surrounding area. Therefore, the Chief Building Official (the "CBO") has concerns that the Proposed Sign will alter the character of the premises and surrounding area. Currently, a large amount of various sign type exist in the area surrounding the Premises, and the CBO believes the addition of a large electronic ground sign on such a small frontage will further add to sign clutter. Because the Sign By-law regulations set out to reduce sign clutter, it appears that the Proposed Sign is contrary to the public interest.
The Sign Variance Committee: 1. Withdrew the application to appeal respecting One First Party Electronic Ground Sign - 1275 Kennedy Road, without prejudice, at the request of the owner and applicant.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, recommends that: 1. The Sign Variance Committee refuse the five requested variances to sections 694-14R, 694-21I(7)(e), 694-21I(7)(j), 694-21I(7)(k) and 694-21I(7)(m), for the Proposed Sign at the premises municipally known as 1275 Kennedy Road, as described in Attachment 1 of the report dated October 15, 2018 from the Manager, Sign By-law Unit, Toronto Building.
SB1.2adopted
Application for Variances Respecting One Third Party Electronic Ground Sign - 159 Dynamic Drive
This report reviews an application for three variances, subject to a specific condition, made by Pattison Outdoor on behalf of the property owner (the "Applicant"), to allow for one third party electronic ground sign with electronic static copy (the "Proposed Sign") at the property municipally known as 159 Dynamic Drive (the "Subject Premises"), described in greater detail in Attachment 1. The Proposed Sign would be located along the east frontage of the Subject Premises, which contains "CanLan Ice Sports" arena and an associated surface-level parking lot. The Proposed Sign is intended to be erected and displayed in the same location as an existing third party ground sign currently in place at the Subject Premises since 2002, and would seek to capture the attention of traffic travelling along Markham Road. The Subject Premises is designated as an Employment ("E") Sign District, which allows third party electronic ground signs. The proposed height and sign face area would be in compliance with the Sign By-law requirements for this sign type in an E Sign District. The Proposed Sign would have a height of 7.5 metres, and contain two sign faces displayed in a "back-to-back" configuration, each with a sign face area of 18.6 square metres. While most of the premises to the south, east and west are also designated as E Sign Districts, there is a large premises to the north of the Subject Premises designated as an Open Space ("OS") Sign District, which contains a public golf practice facility. The information provided by the Applicant helps to demonstrate that the Proposed Sign would likely have minimal impact on this OS Sign District, as the users would be facing away from the sign, and there does not appear to be any natural habitats present which would be disturbed by the light from the Proposed Sign. This area of Markham Road, south of Steeles Avenue East, is largely industrial and employment in nature, and the Sign District designations largely reflect these uses. There are also existing third party ground signs located within the surrounding area, including one which has been in place at the Subject Premises for more than 15 years. Replacing the existing sign with the Proposed Sign would not add to sign clutter in the area, nor would the electronic copy have any adverse impacts on the surrounding premises. In addition, while the Proposed Sign is located within the minimum setback from an existing third party ground sign to the south, there are deciduous trees in place between the two signs which limit the opportunity for both signs to be viewed at the same time. Following a review of the Applicant's submission, the Chief Building Official ("CBO") has determined that enough information has been provided to confirm that all of the nine established criteria in the Sign By-law have been met. Therefore, the CBO is supportive of the Sign Variance Committee granting the requested variances. The condition that would be imposed if the requested variances are granted would be the removal of the existing sign from the Subject Premises, and revocation of any sign permit associated with this existing ground sign.
The Sign Variance Committee: 1. Granted the three requested variances to sections 694-25C(2)(f), 694-25C(2)(d), and 694-22E, subject to specific conditions, required to allow the Applicant to obtain a permit for the erection and display of one third party electronic ground sign at 159 Dynamic Drive, as described in greater detail in Attachment 1 to the report dated December 20, 2018 from the Manager, Sign By-law Unit, Toronto Building.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, recommends that the Sign Variance Committee: 1. Grant the three requested variances to sections 694-25C(2)(f), 694-25C(2)(d), and 694-22E, subject to specific conditions, required to allow the Applicant to obtain a permit for the erection and display of one third party electronic ground sign at 159 Dynamic Drive, as described in greater detail in Attachment 1 to the report dated December 20, 2018 from the Manager, Sign By-law Unit, Toronto Building.
SB1.3adopted
Administration - 2019 Schedule of Meetings for the Sign Variance Committee
This report recommends the 2019 meeting schedule for the Sign Variance Committee. The proposed schedule is guided by City Council's approved schedule, the Committee's preference for meeting on Tuesdays, and the availability of meeting space.
The Sign Variance Committee: 1. Approved the 2019 meeting schedule dates in Attachment 1 to the report (January 15, 2019) from the Deputy Secretary, Sign Variance Committee.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Deputy Secretary, Sign Variance Committee, recommends that the Sign Variance Committee: 1. Approve the 2019 meeting schedule dates in Attachment 1 to the report (January 15, 2019) from the Deputy Secretary, Sign Variance Committee.